Pass OBC quota bill in current session: PMK

After DMK, PMK, has asked the Centre to pass the OBC quota bill during the current session of the House.

indiaUpdated: Aug 18, 2006 19:37 IST

Press Trust of India None

After DMK, another coalition partner in Tamil Nadu, PMK, has asked the Centre to pass the OBC quota bill during the current session to 'enhance the credibility of the Government'.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, PMK founder S Ramadoss said when there was a "clear mandate from Parliament and the parties supporting the UPA government and no party, including BJP has opposed this move, why should we dither in this matter and disillusion 60 per cent of OBCs which is our vote bank too".

The PMK recalled that a meeting of the UPA Coordination Committee and the Left parties held in May this year had made it clear that 27 per cent reservation in educational institutions would be implemented in letter and spirit and the legislation would be brought before the monsoon session.

Lauding the Prime Minister for bringing several measures like National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, Bharat Nirman Programme, National Rural Health Mission and Rajiv Gandhi National Urban Renewal Mission, he said "by implementing the milestone measure of OBC reservation you would be adding one more feather to your cap and a jewel in your crown".

"The Monsoon session of Parliament is about to close and I wish that the UPA government fulfils its commitment of May 23, 2006 and respect the law of the Parliament which would enhance the credibility of the government", he said.

Ramadoss told there was no need to increase the seats as by providing reservation to OBC students, who were denied that facility for 50 long years, nobody would be affected.

"Social injustice is happening for 50 years and by providing 27 per cent reservation in educational institutions, social justice will be done", he said adding those who opposed reservation or talk about phased implementation would fall in the category of 'anti-social, anti-Constitution and anti-Parliament'.

On Finance Minister P Chidambaram's reported remarks that the government was committed to reservation and there was nothing wrong if people who have waited so far to do so for another two-three years, the PMK leader said "Chidambaram never talked in support of reservation and people of Tamil Nadu knew about it."

To a question on Oversight Committee Chairman Veerappa Moily's observation that there would be no 'bulldozing' of the implementation of the reservation, the PMK leader said "for whom (Moily) is he advocating, the people know."